Chapter 16- Uprooted

-14 years ago-

Yasuko cried so much at her father's cremation that there were no tears left to fall at the reception. She found herself consoling grieving family members for a bit, then artfully ducking her way out of hugs and kisses and well wishes to disappear into the corner of the hall, where she could peacefully hide in the shadows. Asami had long fallen asleep, probably bored with the lack of bright lights and loud music. She spied on her, napping on her grandmother's chest, from where she stood. She quietly swore at how Hiroshi's mother never held her back the way she was supposed to, instead just letting her daughter lay near freely on her large breasts.

"Thank fuck, right?" A tall boy whispered by her side. Yasuko jumped, a shiver crawling down her spine at how easily he'd snuck up on her.

Despite being dressed from head to toe in traditional fire nation attire, his eyes were blue and his skin a little too dark to be a Fire Nation native.

"Excuse me?" She eyed him up and down for a moment, confused and bit worried that some immigrant had managed to sneak his way into a private event. He gave her a smile, ignoring her obvious judgement, and nodded towards sea of mourning people.

"It's over,"

"The reception?" Yasuko asked. It was barely dark out, she had expected it to last at least a few more hours. She had a plan, as people began to trickle out, she would grab her daughter and politely excuse herself as well, then spend the rest of her night locked in her room.

"No, no… Azulon." She must have made a face, because his smile fell in nearly the same moment her father's name fell from his lips. She could see in his eyes that he wasn't exactly prepared for her reaction.

"Azulon…" She repeated, trying to sound a little more curious and less defensive about whatever he had to say. The brown boy shrugged his shoulders.

"I mean, I respect him, of course…" Yasuko raised an eyebrow at him. That didn't sound even a bit true. "But the whole slave trade he's got running in the colonies could use some… work. It'll be nice to see someone undoing all that."

Yasuko scoffed and rolled her eyes. Slave trade, he said. Leave it to immigrants to be so dramatic. "First of all, no one will be undoing what Azulon did. He worked hard to get this nation where it is today while keeping the colonials in line. Secondly, it's not a slave trade. They're being paid. That was a kindness Azulon did not have to offer."

He gave her a blank stare for a short moment before turning away with the same smile he approached with forming on his face. "They're being raped. Literally and metaphorically, of course."

"Oh please," Yasuko shook her head. "That's hardly Azulon's fault… or problem. You know what's the problem? You people."

"You people?" He repeated in a tone that was more entertained than offended.

"You don't appreciate anything. You think you could dress the way you do if it wasn't for him? Had Azula seen you so proudly wearing our colors, she would have burned you alive. Azulon gave you the opportunity to become more than you were. And what do you do? You come to his funeral to complain." Her eyes were too sore to cry anymore, but her hands balled into fists at her side. For a moment she scanned the crowd, looking for a face she would not find. It took her a moment to realize there would be no more father to run to. She would have to learn to take care of people like him herself.

"I came to this funeral," he said, badly biting back the rest of his grin, "because your husband invited me. Isn't it his coronation as well? Shouldn't we be celebrating?"

Yasuko froze, gave him another good look. She didn't recognize him. Surely she would have remembered meeting a mouthy Water-Tribe man dressed in red. "You know who I am?"

"Not at first, but then I realized because of the way you speak, and also… you look just like your mother." He put his hand to his chest and bowed a little, which did nothing more than send her blood boiling.

"And yet you still-"

"I just thought you should know. You're a woman who has been raped, are you not? I thought you might want to fix this. I suppose I was wrong."

"How do you-" She took a deep breath in, urging herself not to ask further. Her past relationship with Hiroshi was not public knowledge and the last thing she wanted was for someone to overhear. "Who are you?"

"Iknik Varrick. My friends call me Varrick."

"Well, Iknik," she said pointedly. "I don't appreciate you twisting my father's work to fit your…"

He shook his head as he cut her off. "Do you really believe Hiroshi is what this nation needs? Look at him, he's going be drunk his entire reign." He nodded to where Hiroshi sat, his beautiful white suit opened up to let out his gut, his pants stained with wine. There was a young water tribe server he was bothering. She couldn't seem to free herself from his grip no matter how much she twisted. Yasuko cringed. She should know, twisting in his grip like that was only going make him angry. If she didn't stop, he was going to burn her.

Yasuko looked away. She and her mother lectured him about his behavior many times before. It was one thing in private, but to behave like this in public was disgraceful. She didn't know how many times she could tell him that. She supposed she would spend the rest of her life trying to fix the mistakes he made.

"I'm coming to you because you seem more sensible, but change will not happen if you keep holding your father in such high regards. You have to acknowledge his wrongdoings."

Yasuko scoffed. "And who are you come to me about anything?"

"A concerned citizen."

"Please, you're barely a citizen, let alone a concerned one."

"Oh really, then what would call me, Yasuko?"

Yasuko looked him in his blue eyes and frowned, "You're a liar."

-X-

"What are you saying?" she questioned. Varrick didn't seem like he was lying, but she couldn't be too sure. The moments he didn't spend lying to her face were few and far between. His smile didn't falter for a moment.

"Your husband," he said cheerily, "they found him dead in his council room. Someone stabbed him right here," he used two fingers to violently prod at his neck. "Blood everywhere. I think you would have liked it, actually. It was very messy."

"Uh-huh…" Yasuko raised an eyebrow at him. Hiroshi dead was a pretty thought, but it was not one she would entertain. Not while Asami was still engaged to the Southern Brat. Hiroshi could die after she sent Korren home. "And when did this happen?"

"A few days ago. You know, you miss things when you stay in your room all day."

Yasuko frowned. As if she'd go out looking like she did. Her face throbbed with the reminder that no one would ever respect her the same if they saw her all beaten like this. He knew that. "You're full of shit, Varrick. You almost got me there."

Varrick ignored her, continuing, "your guards don't know who did it, but boy, they were angry." Then his smiled widened wickedly and that led him to a fit of laughter.

Yasuko humored him with a chuckle. She had thought about murdering Hiroshi for years; stared at his neck while thoughts of jabbing whatever she could into it flooded her mind. She never could though. What kind of woman would she be if she couldn't hide her temper? With all that Varrick knew, she was sure that he was aware of that thought passing through her mind.

"It would serve the bastard right," she muttered. "Why are you doing this to me, Varrick? This isn't how you usually find your entertainment." Her bruise cheek stung as she thought about why he might be teasing her. It wasn't like him to laugh at her husband's behavior to her face like this, but she wouldn't put it past him.

"Oh, I see," she said when he didn't speak up about his intentions. "He told you about Korren and me, and you think it's what I deserve. Your people like to beat women."

Varrick raised an eyebrow, "Korren and me?" he feigned shock, "Does Asami know?"

Yasuko rolled her eyes. "Very funny. I asked him to complete some tasks for me. Nothing I don't think the 'Avatar' won't be able to handle. In exchange, I'll give him what he needs to go home. And well, you of all people know how news tends to travel. As you can see, Hiroshi didn't like it so much."

"Yes, I see it. You know, Yasuko. You're not fooling anyone. Everyone knows why you lock yourself away like this."

Yasuko cringed to think it. She knew that they knew, yes, but it was easier than having them all stare at her face, pretending nothing was wrong. She struggled enough for respect as it was, and who would follow her when they could see how weak she was?

"I'm sure Korren will be kinder," Varrick said.

Yasuko scoffed, "Korren will take that throne over my dead body."

"I would be careful what you say," Varrick chuckled lowly. "I have a feeling things are going to be a lot different around here."

"I don't know what Hiroshi was thinking bringing him here. He's going to get bored of him, you know. Then what will we do? All I can do these days, is hope Asami doesn't get pregnant."

Varrick laughed again, seemingly unable to control his fits today. He leaned in closer to her, saying, "I think you have a lot more to worry about now, Yasuko. Hiroshi is gone, and your nation is falling apart. Asami is right when she says it is time for a change. If the boy is good enough to complete a 'few tasks' for you, then why is he not good enough to lead your nation?"

Yasuko scoffed, "You know, my father hated the water tribes. He said they were too far away to keep a good eye on. And for people as underdeveloped as they are, they fought well, pushed all his soldiers out."

"You do know that isn't an insult, right?" Varrick said.

"It means your people are sneaky and violent, Iknik. I don't trust him. My family has kept this bloodline fire nation for as long as we have existed. You think I would so willingly change that? And for what? A water tribe boy?"

"Asami trusts him."

"Asami is young and-"

"And very smart. You better start liking him real soon, Yasuko. I don't think she plans to let him slip from her fingers. And with Hiroshi gone, who knows what she will do to make him stay."

Yasuko narrowed her eyes at him. The realization hit her all at once. He wasn't lying, was he? But why? Why hadn't she known? Why didn't anyone tell her? Why did she have to learn it from him of all people?

Asami hadn't been to her door in a few days. She didn't bring her any updates. Yasuko only assumed nothing of importance had happened. Not even Mako or Aya, who stood dutifully in the corner of her room had said anything to her. She turned her gaze to the colonial girl. Aya stood pale, but not surprised. Did she know too?

A sense of relief Yasuko had been waiting for, for nearly seventeen years, washed through her. But still something was off, Varrick found Hiroshi being dead to be hilarious. He had taunted her with it. Her heart sank into the pit of her stomach as she realized.

"Excuse me?" Yasuko spat.

"What is it?" Varrick taunted back. "Did something just click in your head?"

"Who…who killed him?" Yasuko felt as though she could vomit as the first thought that came to mind was Korren. He had sat in her room not too long ago. He sat right there where Varrick was sitting, talked about his war and her daughter. He looked too serious, much unlike Varrick who laughed and joked when delivering news like this. She knew the boy would do near anything to get what he needed and get home…but murdering Hiroshi…she supposed she should have seen it coming. Being in the fire nation a few months wasn't going to change the violent irrationality that ran through Korren's blood.

"I told you already, no one knows. I was just saying, Asami is very serious about him. She is smarter than you give her credit for. And with Hiroshi out of the way, maybe now is a good time to start listening to her." He said, "you know before she throws a tantrum and does something," another chuckle, "extreme. You know how girls her age are about boys. Just so happens Korren is a good pick."

Yasuko eyed him. He looked a lot like Korren. They had the same skin, and the same hair, and the same soft, smooth features. He was even wearing the same colors. Varrick had always been a liar. He followed Fire Nation customs, looked water tribe, but at the end of the day, he didn't belong to anyone but himself. Yet and still, here he was, sitting across from her dressed head to toe in the latest water tribe fashion.

Korren has changed a lot since his arrival. She doubted the boy read the papers, or so much as bothered to listen to a radio once in a while, but the news couldn't keep his name from their mouth. Most of it was speculation, since he didn't care for the media, or being seen in public too often. Young girls fawned over him like they'd never seen a handsome water tribe boy before. Could he have convinced Varrick to work for him too? Or did Varrick see something worthwhile in Korren? Were they conspiring together?

Yasuko couldn't think of anything Varrick would have to gain from helping Korren, except probably the satisfaction of seeing someone who looked like him sit on their precious throne. Still, Varrick probably would have done it just to do it.

"Who would have thought it would play out like this, huh?" Varrick said, his words sounding much darker now than before.

Yasuko slowly nodded in absent agreement. He was right. Who would have thought the same boy Hiroshi was desperately trying to make Lord, would end up murdering him?

"Why are you dressed like that?" Yasuko asked again. Varrick, again, looked down at his attire and grinned.

"I told you. I want Korren to like me."

"Why? He has a reputation you know, he doesn't like anyone."

"He likes your daughter. And your daughter likes him," he added just to tease.

Yasuko's face paled. Asami…She was alone with him, wasn't she? And after he had… Her stomach twisted uncomfortably.

"You might want to speak to her…" Varrick said, teasingly, "About her new…interests."

"What's that supposed to-" Yasuko's mind flashed to the dinner they shared together a little while back. Asami was all over him. She completely forgot Yasuko was in the room and threw herself at him. Yasuko tried to rationalize her behavior with teenage hormones, but what if Korren had her wrapped around his finger. Would Asami even suspect him?

"If Hiroshi is… then Asami will need to marry quickly. The council will all be looking to Korren but… I suppose she's free to marry anyone."

"Did you really not hear a word I just said to you?"

"Why were you talking to my daughter?" She snapped, just realizing he must have met with her at some point.

"I was showing her a new model for a Sato-mobile. I'm naming it after her, the Asami. I'm going to have one delivered here for her birthday…" Yasuko stopped listening, knowing he'd begin on a new tangent. He and Asami could talk about Sato-mobiles for hours and not get bored, Yasuko learned to tune them out.

She rose from her seat, distant and pale with fear. Asami seemed to love him so much. She didn't know he could hurt her. How could she? She didn't see Korren for the nasty southerner he was, what reason would she have to suspect him? She was so innocent.

"Aya, please get me something to change into." Aya stood in the corner of the room, looking just as pale and sick as Yasuko felt. Something about getting what she deserved for being so nosy ghosted through Yasuko's head, but she was too busy with concern to think about chiding her.

"I'm going now," Varrick said. "The new Empress gave me some work to do. I just came to tell you, you know, don't want you feeling left out, Yasu."

"Don't call me that."

"Iron your white dress. You have a husband to mourn." As he opened the door to leave, Mako stumbled in, looking confused by Varrick's presence, then angered.

"Empress," he bowed, always so respectful. "Why are you here?" He narrowed his eyes at Varrick, hand reaching to his side to clasp his weapon.

Varrick raised an eyebrow at his questioning tone. "Excuse me? She so happens to be my favorite Empress. I come see her when I can." He was joking. Mako, ever so dutiful, didn't appreciate that.

Yasuko spoke up before they could argue or fight. "He was just leaving, Mako. What is it you need, I'm in a bit of a hurry."

Mako waited until Varrick pushed past him and let himself out to speak. "It's about Asami."

Yasuko's heart ached, "what about Asami?" She asked panicked. She couldn't take anymore news today. "I was just going to see her. As a matter of fact, why aren't you by her side. She could be alone with that-"

Mako cringed. "Ma'am, I think your daughter fired me. It's what I've come to talk to you about."

Fired? Yasuko groaned. She could bet this had something to do with Korren. "Where is she now? Is she alone with him?"

Mako's anger showed on his face. He nodded, "yes, but he's still healing. I don't think he can hurt her."

"Well, it's not safe just to think, Mako. You are her most trusted guard, you should know, no matter what she says to you. You need to stay by her side. My word comes before hers." Aya returned quickly with something for her to change into. She paused when she saw Mako and left the clothes on Yasuko's bed to wait for them to finish speaking.

"I know,"

"But?"

"But I worry about angering her, she's got this idea in her head that Korren will stay and be Fire Lord. Not to be blunt, Empress, but I don't trust him."

Yasuko loved Mako. He would have been such a perfect fit for her daughter if Hiroshi hadn't been so foolish. Mako was just like his father, so clear and level headed. He didn't get distracted. He was a good man. Korren, on the other hand, had broken Mako's nose, just a few days after showing up. Asami, for whatever reason, preferred that to kind, sweet, handsome Mako.

"Neither do I, especially not after Hiroshi. We can't trust a man like him with our nation. Asami is too young to see that. She needs your guidance."

Mako shifted his weight from one foot to another, uncomfortably.

"I did suggest…that we go ahead with our previous arrangement. She refused. I think it's Korren. I think he put this idea into her head. She's always been passionate, but this is just insane. What can he offer this nation that I can't?"

Yasuko sighed. This day was going to kill her, that is, if Korren didn't first. "She's young. Foolish. You know how when she was younger she was obsessed with that stupid stuffed bear her grandmother got her? Only to then discard it weeks later? This is like that. Ultimately, this decision isn't hers. She'd need to get the council on board since Hiroshi's dead and I just don't see my little girl doing that. Right now, I need you to focus on keeping them apart. I don't want him near her. Not after what he did to Hiroshi."

Mako frowned, "You think Korren killed Hiroshi?"

"Is that not what happened? Who else would want him dead so badly? Any enemies he had would have tried already. Suddenly Korren shows up and he's…"

Mako was silent for a moment as he thought about it. Afterward he nodded, "Yes. I guess that makes sense. Asami has been keeping something secret from me. I don't think she'd… well… Korren makes sense, yes."

Secrets? Her daughter was keeping secrets now too. Yasuko couldn't understand her choosing Korren over Mako. She's known Mako her entire life. The thought was frustrating. If anything, it only proved why Asami couldn't be left to her own devices. Korren was uprooting her life the same way Hiroshi had years before.

"Well, in that case. I'll make sure he's gone quickly. I'd like you to personally handle the investigation into Hiroshi's death. I'll handle Asami."

Mako hesitated, "actually…Asami is very angry at the moment. I've never seen her like this. I worry about what she might do with Korren whispering in her ear. I don't think it's wise to go to her right away. She'll tell him, and he'll plot. If we mean to handle him, we must do it quietly."

-X-

Stupid Mako. Wait, he said. Quietly, he said. And against her better judgement Yasuko agreed. Now look where she was. Her stomach was twisting into tight knots as she approached her daughter's door. She wasn't sure what she was expecting to find when she twisted the knob open, after all- Korren and Asami spent many nights together before, and while Asami defended him dutifully, Yasuko couldn't help but believe Korren's reluctance to touch her was out of fear of what Hiroshi might do to him, but now, Hiroshi was gone. And to make matters worse, they had married hastily under her nose. Asami was young, foolish. She didn't know the consequences of giving a man so much power so quickly, especially a man like Korren. She didn't know what he might do to her now under the guise of their marriage. Yasuko was going to be damned if she sat back and let it happen without a fight.

It was by accident she found out about their marriage. Through the whisperings of talkative maids. She normally didn't care what they giggled over in the corner of the room, but Korren's name and title had slipped pass their tongues one too many times and she demanded to know.

Apparently, it was a rumor the whole palace knew about. Prince Korren and Asami were just so in love, they couldn't stand another moment not being married to each other. They unceremoniously signed their names to the legal documents in the oh-so-romantic council room. It was rumored to have been done a long while ago, months even, but was only now coming to light due to Hiroshi's death.

Yasuko didn't buy it. She would bet anything that the Southern Brat sweet talked a signature out of her gullible daughter the moment Hiroshi dropped dead. And that's all it took, really. A signature on the right document and the entire fire empire was his by marriage. She supposed it wasn't Mako's fault Korren had been so cunning. The southern brat knew what he was doing.

And Asami, Yasuko stressed. Asami was so mindless at times, so lost in her fantasies of him that she'd do anything not realizing the cost. She was just a child; did she even know she signed her life away? And to him of all people. When did things change? When did Asami stop telling her things? It didn't matter now, she supposed. All she could do now was stop him from taking even more advantage of Asami. She put on her robe and hurried through the halls to find her daughter as quickly as she could.

When the door swung open, Yasuko was ready to scream, ready to kick and beat the life out of him, but her voice caught in her throat as she met a hushed room bathing her daughter and Korren in an atmosphere of warmth. He wasn't on top of her. She wasn't struggling. They weren't even having sex. They were cuddling in the middle of her bed, Asami's hand firmly around his waist and Korren snuggled up deeply into her. He was the first to jump up, his eyes wide and alert, then embarrassed. Asami was slow to rise after him. Her eyes flashed with something Yasuko couldn't read, and as troubling as that was, she felt relief wash over her.

"Mother it's-" She started to say, but shut her mouth when Yasuko looked beyond her at the southerner occupying her bed. In the moment he looked a lot like a teenage boy being caught with his pants down, instead of the war-beaten-tundra-savage he was supposed to be.

"Get out," she snapped. Korren was a smart man, he knew better than to hesitate. He practically flew from the bed, clumsily thudding on the floor in a mess of blankets and sheets. He didn't let it stop him from racing around her and out the door.

"Mother-" Asami started again, defensively this time. She held her hands up in surrender as Yasuko approached her. "Please, just let me explain."

"Oh yes, Asami. Please, explain. I'd like to know how you ended up married." Yasuko all but yanked her out of bed, pleased to see that she was at least wearing clothes, as scant as they were. Yasuko tried not to think about why Asami might want to dress like this in front of him. Instead, she brushed aside her hair, felt around her arms and waist, looking for a reaction from her daughter, a wince or any sign of discomfort. She had half a mind to undress her right there, but Asami pushed her away and went for a robe hanging from her bathroom door.

"Mother," Asami said, "What were you looking for?"

"Are you hurt?"

Asami seemed puzzled. "Hurt?"

"Don't look at me like I'm crazy, Asami. Answer the question. Did he hurt you? Did he force you to do this?"

"You mean marry him?"

"What else could I mean?"

"No, he didn't." Asami frowned as she tied the robe tightly around herself. "I actually had to…force him." She chuckled a little at whatever thought crossed her mind. Hearing her talk like that, Yasuko wanted to shake her. She had really lost all her senses, hadn't she?

"Really now?"

Again with the confused look, "Yes, really. What is this about?"

"What do you mean, Asami?! You're married! When were you going to tell me, you married him!" She shouted and Asami visibly cringed. She hated shouting at her. Hated silencing her daughter, but this was so, so stupid. Shouting was the only way she believed she could get her daughter to hear her. "Hiroshi is," the word for what he was caught in her throat. She swallowed it. "This gave us an opportunity, and you've gone and…"

Asami averted her eyes the way she did. She bit her lips. She played with her hands. Eventually she walked away, idly picked up the blanket Korren had tossed onto the floor and put it back on her bed in a messy heap.

Yasuko groaned, "Asami, don't do that. Talk to me. Tell me what you're thinking. I need to know, I'm your mother."

Asami gave her mother a tired look, the kind Yasuko couldn't decipher. She didn't know what that look meant. There was something new in her eyes, something that stripped away all of Asami's shy innocence, and left nothing but something had never seen in her daughter.

"This isn't about Korren," she said clearly. Yasuko's stomach tightened once more. After all the years she had tried to get Asami to speak up, to speak clearly, and with some zeal, now she chose to do it? She could bet wherever Asami got that courage from, it had nothing to do with her.

"Then who is it about?" Yasuko asked. "You're not making sense. You're not making good-"

"This is about me, mother." Asami's hands curled into fists at her side. "Sure, Korren will be good for this empire. I don't doubt that, but he will be even better with me by his side. He knows how to lead, and I know this nation. We're going to rule together." Her eyes got wide with something like wonder. She looked like she was stargazing as she spoke about him.

"I don't understand, Asami. I thought you hated politics. You wouldn't come to my meetings. Now, you're married, and this is how you're talking. I don't like it." Yasuko let out a strained breath, trying to control her anger. She didn't want to lash out too much. She just wanted to know what was going on so she could find some way to undo it

"Mother," Asami sat on her bed, combed her fingers through her beautiful thick hair and closed her eyes as she spoke, "I'm sorry, but it's not that I hated politics, or wanted to stay out of it. I just… I don't agree with you."

Yasuko's eyebrows shot up as she listened, "excuse me?" She didn't know where Asami was going with this, and that was frightening alone, but when Asami opened her eyes and met her stare with an icy one of her own, she trembled.

"I'm sorry," Asami said, though she didn't sound remorseful at all. She sounded different. "I know you loved Grandpa, and Grandma is my favorite person in the whole world, but Azulon's slave trade dried out trade routes. Grandma gave power to her supporters, something we're paying for now. The council is rotten, and the treasury is drying out. We need something, no, someone new."

Yasuko couldn't find it in her to take a breath, so she stood feeling light headed as she took in everything her little girl was telling her. "That isn't true, the council has me, and as soon as you're ready, it will have you too. The colonies will start trickling money again once the rebellions are handled. There's no need-"

Asami shook her head, "No mother. There is need. There is so much need for this. You…" Asami paused, hesitating with her words once more.

"Me? What about me, Asami?" She dared her daughter to continue.

"You blindly follow them the same way Mako blindly followed my father. So, now that Hiroshi is gone, I've decided to take care of it." Asami took a deep breath like she'd been holding hers in for a long time, then stood again. She didn't avert her eyes, didn't bite her lip, didn't fidget. She stood still, and firm. "I'm sorry. I just didn't….no, I couldn't tell you before."

Was it really so easy? One man had done all this to her little girl? And in the span of what? Three months? Three months was all it took for Asami to become like this? Yasuko was shaking as she ran a hand over her face and let out a strangled sound. "You're sorry? Do you have any idea how you sound Asami?"

Asami cringed, "I would assume like a traitor… This is why, Mom. How was I supposed to tell you?"

"That you think I'm wrong? That you think this entire family is wrong? Asami, what has gotten into you?" She took two long steps forward and grabbed a hold of her daughter who immediately stiffened in her grip. She shook her, shook her hard, the way she'd been meaning to for months now. "Do you hear yourself? This is your heritage, how could you-"

"I'm sorry." Asami looked pained now. She looked into Yasuko's eyes with matching ones of her own and looked pained as she watched Yasuko struggle to comprehend what she had just heard.

"No, this is nonsense. This is the way it has always been, Asami. Maybe you're too young to understand that, but we're going to fix this. You're going to get dressed, and we're going to send Korren home. You can marry Mako, and he will run this nation the way Azula did, and the way my father did, and you," she shook her again. "You will sit by his side and be good and dutiful and give him children and you won't speak like this again."

"Mother," Asami slid from her grip and held Yasuko's trembling hands in her own. "Hiroshi did nothing for this nation. If I marry Mako, it will continue that way. Do you understand?" She furrowed her brows, looking worried. Yasuko could only watch her for a moment, could only take in her words and feel the blow of them reverberate through her body. Asami was speaking down to her, like she was a child who needed things carefully explained. It stung. "It's time for things to change. Korren is getting crowned, and we're going to get our power back."

"Korren isn't fire nation, Asami. You'd so quickly uproot everything my father has built? For him? Haven't I given you a good life? Why are you doing this?" Yasuko pulled away, stepping back a few paces to take her daughter in. She looked different too, no longer like a child, no longer hiding behind that curtain of hair she had. Her eyes were bright, and focused, her hands balled at her side, her jaw sharply angled as she clenched her teeth. She looked like someone dangerous, like someone who could command a room. She looked like everything Yasuko wanted for her, but not like this, never like this.

"I don't think our people want just someone Fire Nation anymore. They want someone sensible."

"Did Korren tell you-" Yasuko started, but Asami quickly shook her head.

"I already told you, this isn't about Korren. I'm really sorry, Mom. But, I'm happy he's here. I don't think I could have done this if he hadn't-"

"Done what?" Yasuko spat. "Try to tear this nation apart? I won't have it. You don't…" there were angry tears threatening to spill from her eyes that obstructed the view she had of her daughter. Yasuko didn't bother trying to rub them away. "You don't know yet. You don't know what you're doing. You're thinking this way because of him! A man like him won't do anything but use you!"

Asami gave her a look, and Yasuko cursed because this was her daughter, her little girl. Asami used to sneak into her bed at night. Asami used to hide under her dress. She taught Asami everything she knew. Still, despite all that, despite everything, she had no fucking idea what that look on her face was.

She didn't wait for a response, or an explanation. "I'm calling your grandmother," she said, which made Asami frown almost instantly. "And when she gets here, you can have fun explaining this to her! Whatever this is, you're going to drop it! You're going to marry Mako like I tell you to."

"The council agreed!" Asami said.

"I'm sure they did," Yasuko spat back. "We'll see how much they agree when Hitomi gets here."

"No! It'll take at least a few days for her to get here. We can't wait much longer to crown someone. I'm doing it whether you like it or not!"

Yasuko scoffed, "over my dead body. I don't want you seeing Korren anymore. He's not to come back in here. As a matter of fact, I see what allowing you so much freedom has cost. You're going to stay here and read over your history books until your grandmother gets here. And then you're going to recite it to me. And maybe then you'll remember why we keep our bloodline fire nation, why we do things the way we do."

Asami frowned in a defiant way. Yasuko almost thought she was going to cross her arms and stomp her feet the way she did when she was little. But she didn't. Instead she stared Yasuko down like she was challenging her.

"I don't need your permission," Asami said. "I promise, I'm not trying to hurt you. But Hiroshi is gone, and Korren and I are married. There isn't any going back."

"Asami…" Yasuko tried to use her warning voice, but it didn't come out as strongly as she'd hoped. Asami didn't flinch. "You do know your father raped me, right?"

Asami made a twisted face, one of disgust and sadness. Yasuko tried not to soften as she went and pulled her daughter close again. "The only reason I had to marry him was because I became pregnant with you. Otherwise, my father would have lit him on fire and watched him burn."

"I know. Korren hasn't… he never forced me," Asami said.

"I'm reminding you of this, because I wasn't like you when I was your age. I knew my place. I knew where my loyalty was. I never wavered. I wasn't shy, or timid, or impressionable. Still, he raped me, Asami." Asami pulled from her grip, her eyes didn't lose their fierceness, but there was a type of quiet that washed over her that only ever came when she spoke about these things. "I wasn't anything like you are, and still he came into my room and used me as he wished. You are timid, you're shy, you're impressionable. Imagine what a man like Korren will do to you. Please, let me make this decision for you, then I won't interfere in your life again. I know better than you how men can be."

"Mother…"

"He put these ideas in your head, and now look at you. You're betraying your own mother, Asami. Please, save this energy for something else. I don't want to force you to listen. Don't make me force you." She put her hand to her daughter's cheeks. They were rosy, and warm, and smooth. Asami gently pulled away and put her mother's hands at her side.

"You haven't even considered a word I said. You don't listen to me. Mako doesn't listen to me. Grandma won't listen to me either. I'm sorry."

Yasuko sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to savor the last somewhat civil moment she was going to have with her daughter for a while.

"Alright then. If that's what you want…" Yasuko spared her a look, before marching to the door, then another right before she opened it. It took a moment, but she could see Asami's confidence crack under her stare. She looked away, bit her lips, pulled at her fingers. This wasn't her daughter. Asami was naive and young, but she'd grow out of it. Yasuko never doubted that she would. One day she would look back and realize that this was not a decision she made for herself, not like she thinks. This was Korren's doing. Yasuko knew that somewhere not too deep down, her daughter knew that too.

-X-

Korren was leaning against the wall opposite Asami's room. It was clear on his face he had heard everything. He didn't bother trying to hide that. Yasuko struggled to look at him. Sneaky, her father's words in regard to the people of the water tribes rung through her head. Korren was doing nothing but proving that. She'd never wished she was a bender so strongly before. She felt like she could light him on fire and watch him burn with a smile.

His eyes were dark as they met hers, sympathetic, or sad, almost. Yasuko rejected the idea that he felt any remorse for what he did to her little girl. "Yasuko," he started but stopped when Yasuko held her hand up.

"Save it," she said, her words wet with her tears. "You can say whatever it is to my mother and the council. She's a bender. I can't promise she will be as kind as I am. If I were you, I'd use this moment to find my way back home. We don't need you here."

He shook his head softly, "I already promised Asami I would stay." He nudged forward, as though he'd take a step in her direction. Yasuko wasn't sure if it was out of panic or angry, but she stepped back two paces, till her back was almost against Asami's door. Korren watched her for a moment, before planting his back firmly against the wall once more.

"Asami doesn't know what she did. And you know that! You took advantage of that!" She spat.

Korren made a face as he shook his head again. "Asami knows exactly what she's doing. You should support her. It's going to kill her if you two become enemies."

Yasuko scoffed. "Enemies? That's a strong word. My daughter and I would never… one day she'll see. She'll understand."

Korren chuckled somewhat grimly. He carefully reached under his shirt and fingered the tight bandages there as though they were uncomfortable. "I used to say that too, Yasuko. I spent my whole life arguing with my mother, then she died. You know, I'm not even sure if she knew I loved her. Or if she spent her final moments thinking I hated her because every minute we were together we fought."

Yasuko gritted her teeth at that. "So, you don't know then. You don't understand how much I love my child. How could you when your own mother-" she forced herself not to finish that sentence. It wasn't going to do anything but piss him off, and if she was right, if he did kill Hiroshi, then she suspected he would have no trouble doing the same to her. She needed to be around for Asami.

Korren let her unfinished sentence hang in the air between them for a moment. He narrowed his eyes at her, screwed up his face into a grimace. She supposed it must have hit a nerve somewhere in him.

"I didn't do anything to Asami," he said more defensively than the moment before. "She was like this when I got here. Listen to her when she speaks, Yasuko. Otherwise you're no better than Hiroshi who wrote her off as an object to be used."

"You don't get to say that to me!" Yasuko wanted badly to raise a hand to him. To slap that stupid wiser-than-thou look off his face, but the last time she tried her luck against a man, he beat her senseless. "I am nothing like that man."

Korren shrugged, "you aren't acting like it." He pushed himself up off the wall again, and took slow steps towards her. She stood firm when he tried to nudge her out of the way of the door.

"You aren't to see my daughter anymore. As a matter of fact, I want you out of this palace." He took a step back to look at her. From so close she could see every twitch of annoyance in his face. His eyes were shooting daggers at hers, challenging her to force him out almost. She froze, unsure of what to do. It would be so easy, just slap him, he wouldn't see it coming. She could take her hands and wrap them around his neck and squeeze until there was no life left in him.

"Asami is probably very upset, Yasuko." He said slowly, gently. Yasuko cringed. This was the second time today she had someone speak down to her. "I would like to be there if she cries. Are you going to move? Or should I lift you out of the way?"

"Asami will be fine." Yasuko challenged back, meeting his stare with one she hoped was as intense. "Are you going to leave willingly, or should I call my guards?"

"You mean, Asami's guards. Isn't that the way the command works? Asami is married, Hiroshi is dead...you are out of power, it goes to Asami now."

"You think any sensible man in this palace is going to take orders from a child and her southern husband?"

Korren rolled his eyes, and seemingly without effort wrapped his hand around her waist and lifted her off the ground, only to set her back down a few inches out of his way.

"It customary that I make nice with in-laws. I'm not trying to fight with you Yasuko. I'd really rather not. I have all intentions to do things right. As soon as I can, I'll go to the colonies. I'll bring you Kuvira, or whoever you want. Just please," he said. "Don't make this hard."

"Oh please, your services are no longer needed-" He didn't wait for her to finished before twisting the knob and slipping inside Asami's room, then gently shutting the door in her face. After a moment there was the click of lock turning, and just like that, he was alone with her daughter again.

This was so much to write. I have so much of the next few chapters written out already, you guys wouldn't believe. (Now to find time to finish em lol) Huge thanks to my beta as always! She's very patient with me.

Please leave a comment. I love those!

Till next time!

*Flies away*